Tony Larich

 When I was a kid growing up in LA, we went to the First Baptist Church of Van Nuys. This is where I first heard the Gospel, in our Sunday school. Thank you, mom!
   I did spend 4 years in Indiana as a kid (10-14 years old) and had a blast. Big difference from Los Angeles!
   Time went on and I came to the Saving faith in Jesus while a senior in High school. This was at the First Baptist Church of Hemet where I was baptized in February 1978. Mr. William O’Leary led me to Christ. I was encouraged by Steve Bovie in my new found faith while at this church.
   Time goes on and I got married to my wife Amber in July 1981 and we had 3 boys (Domenic, Sonny, and Vinny) while living in Yucca Valley, CA. My boys went through AWANA at EV Free Church of Yucca Valley and my wife Amber was an AWANA leader for many years. Unfortunately, I missed out on a lot of the AWANA fun and mid-week Bible studies as I worked at night at the USPS facility in Redlands about 60 miles away. My family and I were very grateful for this job and we all understood the ramifications of me working nights.
   But by God’s grace I was able to get a day job in 2005 and spend more time at church, with my family, and the Wednesday night Bible study. This study really propelled my faith and understanding of Scripture. Hector Figuroa (a Marine cook) asked if I would help him in the kitchen for a church function. And so my ministry of serving began!
   As time went on, my wife Amber became ill and went home to be with the Lord January 9, 2009. We had been together for 30 years. I was crushed not just for myself but for my boys, the youngest still in high school. My church family rallied around me and my boys and showed great love and support during this rough season. Elder Russ Gentry and his wife Marta were my Priscilla and Aquilla. They have been so much encouragement to me and my family throughout the years
   Through God’s grace, I was able to take an early retirement that year so I could be home to take care of my youngest, Vinny.
   After Vinny graduated high school, I moved to Rocklin in 2010. We (Amber and I) always wanted to live in Northern California since she was from Auburn. 
   While in Rocklin, I did some church shopping at the larger churches in the area but they were mostly topical which is OK but not the expository teaching I was used to.
   Time went on. Cindy and I, with whom I worked with in Redlands, began dating and become more serious about being married. We married April 6, 2013 by my Pastor in SoCal. She continued to work till her retirement in May of 2016 and then joined me up here in Cool.
   After she arrived in July, we went church shopping and stopped looking after our 1st visit to Cool Community Church! We have enjoyed the teaching of the Word, the fellowshipping and the opportunity to serve. As members of this church body, we just want to serve the Lord as best we can. 
   I have been blessed to serve as a deacon here at Cool Community Church since March of 2024.